Does anyone have a Sanga kendama from the Gloken website? They seem like quality kendamas and the shape looks pretty sweet. Any thoughts? Any pictures?
Here's my super jammed Sanga Kaba (JPN birch) in the original packaging. I love the unique shape and density. It's about 3% larger than a typical Ozora, and both pieces are nearly 100 grams. The deep swoop and thick basecup make for a perfect ken flip grip. Lunars are challenging, but it's really fun to play. This is one of my favorite damas ever. Sling king.
So you would say they are worth their price? It's not like they are expensive, but I just want to make sure they are worth the money. Also, does the tip hold up well? Does the wood break in nicely?
I have a keyaki sanga, its a tall and skinny sort of shape, but its pretty rad! They make a few crazy laminated options if you're feeling adventurous.
I have the sakura sanga I believe. Gloken sent it to me for 3rd in the Girls Video Contest. It's taller than your average dama. There is no string hole in the spike. There is a nice swoop with great grain. Lunar and slinger balance are great. Overall a very sweet dama.
@karekarekeah that looks like keyaki to me, definitely not sakura! (sidenote: I totally thought you were Miya Song from your avatar pic for a long time. Woops! haha)
Ohh I see, wasn't really sure at first whether it was keyaki or not. And hahaha. @Miya Song is my sister from another mister haha.
These are made by a very old kendama manufacturer from Japan, they were making swooped kendamas probably 30-40 years before GT even existed.
Once you play them both and feel them in hand, the ken shape and play style doesn't feel similar to me.
Yea, thats definitely true. The sanga has a very differnent feel. The tama is actually a little larger than the JKA size
I'd say the GT has a modern, scientific, delicate feel with a spotlight on the materials used. The Sangas have a more sturdy, smooth feel and it seems they had a more art based manufacturing focus.
I have the Japanese cherrywood sanga I won from Slay Lake City and it's pretty nice though I haven't jammed it that much its skinny but still feels good in the hand
I have new freshie sanga double padauk stripe and it really slays. It is sleepy now but I want to break it in during summer the big cup is bigger and wider than a small cup so lunar balance is really good. I already did double lunar flip on it. The swoop is kinda wird but funny. Stalls are also good. And there is no hole in the sword so string change is really easy. I really like this dama and I will tell you how it broke in after summer